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Trini macaroni pie without eggs (not traditional)

Macaroni pie is a favorite Trinidad side dish for lunch, especially on a Sunday! It is made with macaroni, milk, seasonings and lots and lots of cheese. It's so, so good.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time40 minutes
Total Time50 minutes
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Caribbean
Keyword: macaroni pie
Servings: 10
Calories: 367kcal
Author: Ros Singh

Ingredients

  • 300 g macaroni
  • 6 cups water
  • 3 tsp salt (1½ tsp for boiling the macaroni; remainder for the pie)
  • 300 g cheese (50g for the base; 150g for the pie; 100g for the topping)
  • 100 g salted crackers (Crix) (25g for the base; 75 g for the topping)
  • 330 mL evaporated milk (275 mL for the pie; remainder for the topping)
  • 30 g butter
  • 1½ tsp onion powder
  • 1½ tsp garlic powder
  • 1½ tsp Italian seasoning (1 tsp for the pie; ½ tsp for the topping)
  • 1 tsp oregano
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • optional seasonings (like mustard, chopped chives, diced onion, sweet peppers, pimento peppers, etc).

Equipment

  • food processor (optional)

Instructions

Boil the macaroni

  • Add large pot on medium heat.
  • Pour in water and 1½ tsp salt.
  • Bring water to a boil (about 5 minutes).
  • Break macaroni in half. Add to boiling water. Stir.
  • Cook until macaroni is al dente (approx 8 - 10 minutes).

Prep the base

  • Grate cheese.
  • Grind the salted crackers.
  • Add 25g of ground crackers to a large baking dish (like 8” x 11”). Spread evenly.
  • Sprinkle 50g of cheese over the cracker layer.
  • Set aside.

Make macaroni pie

  • Prepare optional ingredients, if necessary.
  • Preheat oven at 375°F.
  • Strain macaroni once cooked.
  • Place macaroni back into the pot on medium heat.
  • Add 275 mL evaporated milk, 150g cheese, butter, onion powder, garlic powder, oregano, black pepper, optional seasonings, 1½ tsp salt and 1 tsp of Italian seasoning to the macaroni.
  • Mix thoroughly.
  • Simmer for 5 minutes or until the milk thickens.
  • Taste test. Adjust any flavors.
  • Pour the thickened macaroni mixture into the prepped baking dish. Spread evenly.
  • Sprinkle 75g of ground crackers over the macaroni.
  • Top with the remaining cheese (100g).
  • Add ½ tsp of Italian seasoning over the cheese.
  • Pour the remaining milk (55mL) over everything.
  • Place macaroni pie on the top shelf of the oven.
  • Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until the topping becomes crisp.
  • Remove from oven. Leave to cool before cutting.